Stephen Perkins (b.
circa 1833 - d. 1912)
MSA SC 3520-4634
USCT Soldier, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Stephen Perkins was born on March 1, 1833 in Easton, Talbot County, Maryland.1 His parents appeared as "unknown" on his death record.2 Perkins was born a slave and was owned by the Chamberlain family, who lived in Talbot County.3 On the bounty rolls, he was listed as being owned by Mrs. Chamberlain at the time of his enlistment.4 Mrs. Chamberlain was eligible to receive a $100 bounty as compensation for the loss of her slave.5 She received her payment on May 12, 1865.6 In a pension document, Perkins stated that he enlisted when he was 30 years old.7 However, on his service record, he was listed as being 20 years old.8 It was common for many former slaves to be unaware of their age because adequate records were not kept by many slave owners. Regardless, Stephen Perkins was known to have enlisted in the Civil War. He enlisted as a private on September 23, 1863 in Company B of the 7th U.S. Colored Troops regiment.9 Three days later, Perkins was mustered into the service by Col. Wm. Birney while in Baltimore, Maryland.10
The 7th regiment consisted of mostly free African-Americans and former slaves from Maryland's Eastern Shore.11 During the war, the regiment contributed to the success of the Union army by participating in numerous battles and skirmishes. The battles included Cedar Creek, Florida, Camp Melton, Florida, White Point, South Carolina, Petersburg, Virginia, Fort Gilmer, Virginia, Fort Burnham, Virginia, and Appomattox Court House, Virginia.12 Perkins was listed as "absent" sick in a hospital beginning on October 16, 1864, which caused him to miss some of the battles.13 When the war ended in 1865, the 7th regiment left Virginia to act as a garrison in Texas for the following 18 months.14 On October 13, 1866, the 7th regiment was honorably discharged from their military duties.15 The 1890 veterans schedule showed that Perkins served for three years and twenty days in the military.16
After the war, he suffered from various ailments, including rheumatism, lumbago, and general debility.17 He contracted rheumatism while in the service and sometime after the war he was "confined to his bed last summer for forty-two days."18 The war had clearly taken its toll on Perkins as it did for many soldiers. Perkins permanently moved to Baltimore around 1870 when he married Annie L. Walker.19 They were married by the Reverend Henry Hutton in Baltimore.20 Throughout his time in Baltimore, they had several residences including 728 Bradley Street,21 673 Sarah Ann Street,22 680 Sarah Ann Street,23 and 546 W. Hoffman Street.24
The 1880 census shows that he was a resident of the 13th ward, which is where Sarah Ann Street was located.25 It also shows that Stephen was 49 years at the time the census was taken, which would have made his birth date around 1831.26 His wife Annie and three daughters (Hannah, Mary, and Martha) were also listed.27 Hannah was listed as being "at school" at the time the census was taken.28 Along with his wife and three daughters, the household also consisted of Hannah Walker, who was Annie's mother.29 Although three daughters were listed, Stephen and Annie Perkins would go on to have another daughter.30 On their marriage certificate, Stephen was a laborer by occupation and Annie was a teacher.31
Annie Perkins, the informant for the information on his death record, listed Stephen as being born on March 1, 1840.32 His exact birth date appears to be unknown since there are conflicting sources, but he was born sometime between 1830 and 1840. Stephen Perkins passed away from natural causes while living at 546 W. Hoffman Street on August 29, 1912.33 Three days later, on September 2, 1912, Stephen Perkins was buried at Loudon Park National Cemetery in Section C, Site 1506.34 Stephen Perkins was "pensioned at $18 per month under Act of May 11, 1912" up until his death.35 Prior to his death, Perkins received pension amounts of: $6.00 per month that commenced on July 18, 1890, $8.00 per month that commenced on November 17, 1906, and $12.00 per month that commenced on February 12, 1907.36 After his death, Annie received a pension of $12 per month that commenced on September 3, 1912.37 Annie Perkins was officially dropped from the pension roll after she passed away on April 18, 1930.38
For a visual representation of Stephen Perkins journey from slavery to freedom, click here. Users must have access to Google Earth in order to utilize this file, which includes landmarks(pins) in Perkins life from circa 1833 to 1912. You may take the tour and investigate individual sites under the "Places" tab on the left of the screen, or you may navigate using the slider and cursor on the map itself.Written and Researched by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
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